looking back

BARBERSHOP: Mario Carlini trims the hair of a client at the Jewish Community Center Barber Shop, c. 1960. Located at the
Curtis and Meyers branch, the shop also boasted two manicurists, Marg and Jean. The shop was open to both JCC members
and the public. Courtesy Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives (JCC.5). Irene B. Bayer, photographer.

Historic photos are curated by the Jewish
Historical Society of Michigan.

From the DJN

Davidson Digital Archive

E

lectric and hybrid cars have been a hot topic over the
past few years. General Motors introduced the Volt
a few years ago, and this year introduced the Bolt, a
pure electric vehicle with no gasoline engine back-up system.
Indeed, just about every major automobile
manufacturer, even such carmakers as the
esteemed Rolls Royce and Bentley, are exper-
imenting with electric automobiles.
But, an advertisement in the June 28, 1918,
issue of the Jewish Chronicle in the Davidson
Digital archives reminded me that electric
cars are nothing new.
In the ad, Wm. V. F. Neumann & Sons, one
of the first automobile dealers in Detroit,
Mike Smith
Detroit Jewish News touted the “everyday convenience, com-
Foundation Archivist
fort, safety, year-around utility and quiet

102

January 26 • 2017

jn

seclusion” of the Rauch & Lang Electric, which was made in
Cleveland and Massachusetts, 1905-1932. It looks just a little
bit different from the GM Bolt. Maybe a little taller.
One could also buy a Detroit Electric from 1907-1939, which
was, go figure, made in Detroit. And, it is interesting to note,
the first vehicle in the world to go 60 miles per hour was an
electric car, the La Jamais Contente, which set this land speed
record in 1899 near Paris, France. But, electrics were generally
considered to be “cars for the ladies.”
So, as we see more and more electric cars on the road in the
future as well as cars that drive themselves, keep in mind that
the fundamental technology, batteries and electric motors are
more than 100 years old. •

Want to learn more? Go to the DJN Foundation archives, available for free at
www.djnfoundation.org.

